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1998 Chevrolet C/K Pickups

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet C/K Pickups do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 23.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

63 reports with mileage · 15 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

78 reports
72,000 miles · Aug 31, 2012
Steering

WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING GAVE A QUICK LOCK UP AND LOST POWER STEERING TOOK PUMP OFF AND PULLEY AND SHAFT FELL OUT OF PUMP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10473232

136,403 miles · Apr 17, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE FAILURE ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS DUE TO BRAKE LINE RUPTURES...ONCE 6' BELOW THE MASTER CYLINDER AND 8 MONTHS LATER ON A LINE TO A REAR BRAKE. BOTH TIMES LOST THE PEDAL. MY TRUCK IS A 1998 CK 1500 WITH VIRTUALLY NO BODY ROT. I WAS SURPRISED THAT #1 THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF PEDAL AND #2 A SECOND PERFORATION OCCURRED SO S…

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BRAKE FAILURE ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS DUE TO BRAKE LINE RUPTURES...ONCE 6' BELOW THE MASTER CYLINDER AND 8 MONTHS LATER ON A LINE TO A REAR BRAKE. BOTH TIMES LOST THE PEDAL. MY TRUCK IS A 1998 CK 1500 WITH VIRTUALLY NO BODY ROT. I WAS SURPRISED THAT #1 THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF PEDAL AND #2 A SECOND PERFORATION OCCURRED SO SOON. I WILL FILL OUT THE FORM FOR INCIDENT #1 ( JULY 2009) THE OTHER RUPTURE WAS 23 MAR 2010. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326142

97,000 miles · Apr 14, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

MY 1998 CHEVY SILVERADO PICKUP TRUCK HAD A BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO THE BRAKE LINE RUSTING OUT BECAUSE THE DESIGN HAS THE BRAKE LINE LAYING ON TOP OF A STEEL GUARD UNDER THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK WHERE SNOW GATHERS RATHER EASILY AND IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO INSPECT THE LINE THERE. I REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY DUE TO…

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MY 1998 CHEVY SILVERADO PICKUP TRUCK HAD A BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO THE BRAKE LINE RUSTING OUT BECAUSE THE DESIGN HAS THE BRAKE LINE LAYING ON TOP OF A STEEL GUARD UNDER THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK WHERE SNOW GATHERS RATHER EASILY AND IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO INSPECT THE LINE THERE. I REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY DUE TO THE LINE RUPTURING WITHOUT ANY PRIOR NOTICE OF LEAKING WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I HAD MY TRUCK TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE LINE. THEY DISCOVERED WHERE THE RUPTURE WAS AND SAID IT IS A POOR DESIGN OF GM TO PLACE A LINE WHERE IT CAN RUST OUT SO EASILY WITHOUT BEING DETECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325648

21,000 miles · May 7, 2009
Visibility

I HATE TO SOUND REPETITIVE ,BUT I ALSO HAVE A 1998 CHEVY SILVERADO 4X4 THAT HAS A WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEM. I ALSO THINK THAT GM SHOULD STEP-UP AND FIX THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE WHEN IT HAPPENS TO SO MANY OF THE SAME VEHICLES I FEEL AS THOUGH IT'S A FACTORY DEFECT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A LONG TIME. THE TRUCK DOESN'T HAVE…

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I HATE TO SOUND REPETITIVE ,BUT I ALSO HAVE A 1998 CHEVY SILVERADO 4X4 THAT HAS A WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEM. I ALSO THINK THAT GM SHOULD STEP-UP AND FIX THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE WHEN IT HAPPENS TO SO MANY OF THE SAME VEHICLES I FEEL AS THOUGH IT'S A FACTORY DEFECT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A LONG TIME. THE TRUCK DOESN'T HAVE BUT 61,000 MILES ON IT. I CONFRONTED THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY WOULDN'T HELP ME OUT. THAT'S WHY I HAVE A TOYOTA ,THAT'S MADE IN THE USA, SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. GOD BLESS THE USA !!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267909

39,000 miles · May 19, 2008
Steering

STEERING: I AM HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEN TURNING RIGHT DURING A LONG TURN, IT FEELS LIKE I HIT A PATCH OF ICE OR LIKE SOMEONE GRAB HE STEERING WHEEL & JERK IT TO THE RIGHT. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT SEEM TO BE GETTING WORST BUT I DO NOT LIKE THE FEEL. SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK…

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STEERING: I AM HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEN TURNING RIGHT DURING A LONG TURN, IT FEELS LIKE I HIT A PATCH OF ICE OR LIKE SOMEONE GRAB HE STEERING WHEEL & JERK IT TO THE RIGHT. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT SEEM TO BE GETTING WORST BUT I DO NOT LIKE THE FEEL. SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK COULD OVER STEER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228246

69,755 miles · Jan 29, 2008
Visibility

1 WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMENTENT. 2 VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING IN RAIN. 3 REMOVED AND REPLACED WIPPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. *CN

NHTSA ODI #10216373

90,000 miles · Dec 13, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY VEHICLE HAS THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN #05V379000. MY ANTILOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE AT LOW SPEED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP MY TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211869

80,000 miles · Oct 25, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE A 1998 CHEVY PICKUP TRUCK WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WOULD ACTIVATE WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 10 MPH; THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT WHEN TRYING TO STOP AT SLOW SPEEDS. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT 1999 & 2000 CHEVY PICKUP TRUCKS HAVE A RECALL FOR THE SAME ABS PROBLE…

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I HAVE A 1998 CHEVY PICKUP TRUCK WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WOULD ACTIVATE WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 10 MPH; THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT WHEN TRYING TO STOP AT SLOW SPEEDS. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT 1999 & 2000 CHEVY PICKUP TRUCKS HAVE A RECALL FOR THE SAME ABS PROBLEM THAT I AM EXPERIENCING WITH MY 1998 TRUCK. I WENT TO THE DEALER TO DISCUSS THIS RECALL WITH THEM AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY THE SPEED SENSOR AND THAT IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE RECALL WAS ADDRESSING, BUT BECAUSE MY TRUCK WAS A 1998, THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNLESS CHEVROLET GAVE THEM THE OK. I WENT TO CHEVROLET'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER THE RECALL. I TALKED TO ANOTHER OWNER OF A 1998 CHEVY PICKUP AND HIS TRUCK HAD THE SAME ABS PROBLEM. HIS SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM WAS REMOVING THE ABS FUSE. MY CONCERN IS THAT CHEVROLET HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 1998 ABS SYSTEM AS WELL, BUT IN THE INTEREST OF SAVING MONEY, THEY ARE NOT INCLUDING IT IN THEIR RECALL. I FEEL THAT SINCE 1998 VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME ANTI-LOCK BRAKE ISSUES AS THE 1999 AND 2000 VEHICLES, 1998 VEHICLES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS WELL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171837

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2006
Tires

I HAVE 4 BRIDGESTONE TIRES, DUELER AT 693, LT 285/75/16, ON MY VEHICLE. LAST WEEK ONE OF THEM BECAME SEVERELY DEFECTIVE AND HAD SOME SORT OF SEPARATION INSIDE IT. I SEE THAT THESE TIRES WERE SUBJECT TO A VOLUNTARY SAFETY CAMPAIGN, # 04T018000 THAT HAS APPARENTLY EXPIRED. I WAS CERTAINLY NEVER AWARE OF THIS CAMPAIGN OR I WOULD N…

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I HAVE 4 BRIDGESTONE TIRES, DUELER AT 693, LT 285/75/16, ON MY VEHICLE. LAST WEEK ONE OF THEM BECAME SEVERELY DEFECTIVE AND HAD SOME SORT OF SEPARATION INSIDE IT. I SEE THAT THESE TIRES WERE SUBJECT TO A VOLUNTARY SAFETY CAMPAIGN, # 04T018000 THAT HAS APPARENTLY EXPIRED. I WAS CERTAINLY NEVER AWARE OF THIS CAMPAIGN OR I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN RISKING MY FAMILIES SAFETY WITH THESE TIRES WITHOUT HAVING THEM CHECKED. I HAVE HAD THE TIRES APPROXIMATELY 2 1/2 YEARS AND APPARENTLY PURCHASED THEM NEAR OR AROUND THE CAMPAIGN DATES. MY QUESTION IS, DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE IN THIS MATTER. I NOW HAVE ONE VERY DEFECTIVE TIRE, AND THREE MORE WITH AMPLE TREAD BUT ARE NOT APPARENTLY SAFE TO DRIVE MY FAMILY AROUND ON. I DON'T BELIEVE BRIDGESTONE DID A VERY GOOD JOB NOTIFYING THE CONSUMERS OF THIS CAMPAIGN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10166131

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

TRUCK STALLS WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING FOR NO REASON. STEERING HAS SUDDEN FAST JERK TO RIGHT THEN WE HAVE TO OVER CORRECT TO LEFT, HAZARD LIGHTS WOULDN'T TURN OFF NOW THEY ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. WIPER FLUID MOTOR DOESN'T WORK, GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK IT JUST VIBRATES REALLY F…

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TRUCK STALLS WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING FOR NO REASON. STEERING HAS SUDDEN FAST JERK TO RIGHT THEN WE HAVE TO OVER CORRECT TO LEFT, HAZARD LIGHTS WOULDN'T TURN OFF NOW THEY ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. WIPER FLUID MOTOR DOESN'T WORK, GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK IT JUST VIBRATES REALLY FAST. THERE ARE WIRES IN DASH THAT HAVE BURN MARKS AND OTHER COMPONENTS ARE MELTED. ITS AMAZING THAT THIS TRUCK EVEN RUNS! WE HAVE SPENT 1200 ON THIS PILE AND STILL HAVEN'T EVEN FIXED ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10163491

Official recalls

1

03V093000 · Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior

Mar 7, 2003

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA02005 · Driver Door Electrical Fires

Opened May 17, 2002 · Closed May 1, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices; Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior

BY LETTER DATED MARCH 19, 2003, THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED NHTSA OF THE DECISION TO INITATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON SELECTED VEHICLES WITHIN THE SUBJECT POPULATION.THE CAMPAIGN INVOLVES 507,000 C/K AND M/L VEHICLES BUILT DURING MODEL YEARS 1997-1998.THE RECALL INVOLVES VEHICLE MODELS WITH HIGH INCIDENT RATES AND BUILT AT SELECTED ASSEMBLY PLANTS.A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE DEFECT WASINHERENT VARIATIONS IN ASSEMBLY CONDITIONS, WORKER SKILL LEVELS ANDPROCESSES THAT EXIST FROM ONE ASSEMBLY LOCATION TO ANOTHER.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.NHTSA HAS ASSIGNED CAMPAIGN NO. 03V-093 TO THE RECALL.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Electrical System

BY LETTER DATED MARCH 19, 2003, THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED NHTSA OF THE DECISION TO INITATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON SELECTED VEHICLES WITHIN THE SUBJECT POPULATION.THE CAMPAIGN INVOLVES 507,000 C/K AND M/L VEHICLES BUILT DURING MODEL YEARS 1997-1998.THE RECALL INVOLVES VEHICLE MODELS WITH HIGH INCIDENT RATES AND BUILT AT SELECTED ASSEMBLY PLANTS.A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE DEFECT WASINHERENT VARIATIONS IN ASSEMBLY CONDITIONS, WORKER SKILL LEVELS ANDPROCESSES THAT EXIST FROM ONE ASSEMBLY LOCATION TO ANOTHER.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.NHTSA HAS ASSIGNED CAMPAIGN NO. 03V-093 TO THE RECALL.

Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior

BY LETTER DATED MARCH 19, 2003, THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED NHTSA OF THE DECISION TO INITATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON SELECTED VEHICLES WITHIN THE SUBJECT POPULATION.THE CAMPAIGN INVOLVES 507,000 C/K AND M/L VEHICLES BUILT DURING MODEL YEARS 1997-1998.THE RECALL INVOLVES VEHICLE MODELS WITH HIGH INCIDENT RATES AND BUILT AT SELECTED ASSEMBLY PLANTS.A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE DEFECT WASINHERENT VARIATIONS IN ASSEMBLY CONDITIONS, WORKER SKILL LEVELS ANDPROCESSES THAT EXIST FROM ONE ASSEMBLY LOCATION TO ANOTHER.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.NHTSA HAS ASSIGNED CAMPAIGN NO. 03V-093 TO THE RECALL.

Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices

BY LETTER DATED MARCH 19, 2003, THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED NHTSA OF THE DECISION TO INITATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON SELECTED VEHICLES WITHIN THE SUBJECT POPULATION.THE CAMPAIGN INVOLVES 507,000 C/K AND M/L VEHICLES BUILT DURING MODEL YEARS 1997-1998.THE RECALL INVOLVES VEHICLE MODELS WITH HIGH INCIDENT RATES AND BUILT AT SELECTED ASSEMBLY PLANTS.A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE DEFECT WASINHERENT VARIATIONS IN ASSEMBLY CONDITIONS, WORKER SKILL LEVELS ANDPROCESSES THAT EXIST FROM ONE ASSEMBLY LOCATION TO ANOTHER.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.NHTSA HAS ASSIGNED CAMPAIGN NO. 03V-093 TO THE RECALL.

PE01001 · Vacuum Brake Booster

Opened Jan 8, 2001 · Closed May 22, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ALLEGED THAT THE VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER CAN FAIL RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES.